Security heightened on intelligence on possible violence over verdict: Awami League

The government has ordered the security forces to deal sternly with any attempt to create anarchy surrounding the verdict in the corruption trial against BNP chief Khaleda Zia, the Awami League says.

General Secretary Obaidul Quader said at a media briefing in the ruling party chief’s Dhanmondi office on Wednesday evening the government received ‘intelligence that the BNP was gathering tools to carry out sabotages’.

He also said police in different districts have information that ‘the BNP is getting ready to carry out violent acts’ after the Jan 30 attack on the law enforcers when Khaleda was returning home from court in Dhaka.

“Police need to be on alert to save the people’s lives and properties following the information. The law-enforcing agencies throughout the country have been ordered to take a firm stance,” Quader said.

The court will deliver the verdict in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against Khaleda, her son and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and four others on Thursday.

They face up to life term imprisonment if found guilty of embezzling Tk 21 million foreign donation meant for the trust, and if convicted, the former prime minister will be disqualified to run in the next general election by the end of this year.

Speaking at a news conference in the afternoon, the BNP chief called for ‘peaceful and systematic’ movement.

But that has done little to allay public fears as the BNP leaders had said they would not ‘sit idly by’ if Khaleda was thrown into jail.

Security agencies have also braced for extra security measures ahead of the verdict as a precaution.

Additional check posts have been set up in Dhaka and adjacent areas and the entries of the capital.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have banned all sorts of gatherings for Thursday while Border Guard Bangladesh or BGB troops were deployed in different districts including the capital on Wednesday evening.

Quader, however, blamed the BNP for the mounting tension.

“Trial is a court matter…This is the first time the BNP says it will not accept a court verdict if it does not favour them. Aren’t these remarks tantamount to contempt of court?” he asked.

The Awami League leader said it was ‘unfortunate’ that the BNP was ‘playing a dirty game’ over the verdict.

Quader also responded to Khaleda’s claim that the ruling party orchestrated the trial as it is afraid of the BNP and wants to win the next election unchallenged. “Why should the Awami League be afraid? What will be the problem if Khaleda is acquitted?”

“We want an inclusive election with the BNP’s participation,” he said.

He also denied reports that the ruling party activists will be on the streets on Thursday to stop the BNP staging possible protests against the verdict.